Travel insurance

Fully comprehensive cover for travel

Cultural and Historical Holidays: Treasures of Greece

Uncover more than 3000 years of civilisation in a country renowned for great beaches, all-night parties and delicious cuisine. Walk in the footsteps of Alexander the Great, Plato, Homer or Agamemnon. Explore Byzantine churches and monasteries, Venetian fortresses and Crusader castles, as well as ancient sites dating from the Minoan, Hellenistic and Roman eras.

At the ancient site of Delphi, walk on stones where the ancient Greeks
once consulted the Oracle about the future - perhaps try it yourself!
Meander around the dramatic ruins of the Parthenon in Athen's ancient
Acropolis, trek to the mountain monastery of Meteora and venture into the
gloomy Gates of Hades. Stroll around the fallen columns on the island of
Delos or descend into the frescoed Minoan palaces on Crete.

Cool off with a refreshing swim in the Aegean Sea and improve your tan on
a pretty beach. Later, savour a glass of Ouzo or two in a seaside
taverna, indulge in a delicious seafood dinner and simply relax as the
sun sets over a picturesque harbour: in Greece you'll have your pick.

Highlights

The Acropolis and ancient Agora - Built as a symbol of
Athen's imperial confidence, the Acropolis was as famous throughout the
ancient world as it is today, and stands as one of the archetypal images
of western culture. Soaring abruptly 100m from its surroundings on a
steep-sided, flat-topped crag of limestone, the Acropolis is visible from
almost everywhere within the city. Stroll around the Parthenon; gaze up
at the Erechtheion; wander to the Temple of Athena Nike, the Propylaia
and ancient Agora in a single circuit. Appreciating these ancient
monuments from almost every angle along the specially constructed
walkway.
Delphi - Site of the famous
Oracle, believed by the ancient Greeks to be the centre of the earth.
Climb the steps to the Sacred Way and wind your way up the steep rocky
hillside to the Temple of Apollo, past the Sanctuary of Athena to the
site of the 4th-century BC tholos (dome), probably the most striking of
Delphi's monuments. Continue upward to the theatre, offering stunning
views over the World Heritage-listed site; further uphill lies the
ancient stadium. Don't miss looking into the Delphi Museum, full of
amazing treasures - among the highlights is the celebrated life-size
'Bronze Charioteer'.
Knossos - The capital of Minoan
Crete and home of King Minos' mythical Minotaur. In mythology, Knossos
was the court of the legendary King Minos, whose wife Pasiphae bore the
Minotaur, half-bull, half-man. To contain the monster, a labyrinth was
constructed by Daedalus and youths were brought from Athens as human
sacrifice until Theseus arrived to slay the beast and, with Ariadne's
help, escape its lair. Descend into the ruins of the labyrinth and
discover a vivid reconstruction made possible by British archaeologist
Sir Arthur Evans, who uncovered the site in 1900 and spent 35 years and a
small fortune of his own money excavating and reconstructing sections of
the palace.
Meteora - The Byzantine
monasteries of MetÈora, perched atop huge pinnacles of smooth rock, are
one of the most extraordinary sights in mainland Greece. Originally
accessible only by climbing removable ladders, the monasteries provided
monks with a peaceful haven from the bloodshed of the 14th century. Today
you can reach the monasteries by climbing steps hewn into the rock
face.
National Archaeological Museum -
In one of the world's great museums, discover some of the most important
finds from archaeological sites throughout Greece. Gaze in awe at
Mycenaean antiquities, including the Warrior Vase depicting men leaving
for war and a woman waving them goodbye, and the Mask of Agamemnon
unearthed at Mycenae. Also see the Vaphio gold cups, depicting men taming
wild bulls, regarded as among the finest examples of Mycenaean art and
found in a tholos (a beehive-shaded Mycenaean tomb) at Vaphio, near
Sparta. Enjoy Minoan frescos from Santorini (Thira) and superb figurines
of the Cycladic collection that inspired such artists as Picasso. Don't
miss the 460 BC bronze statue of 'Zeus or Poseidon', found in the sea off
Evia.
The Acropolis of Lindos - Located
on a bluff 116m high and overlooking Lindos village and beach stands the
magnificent ancient Acropolis with its Doric Temple of Athena. Climb the
well-worn flight of steps past a warship hewn out of the rock by the
sculptor Pythocretes and enter the Acropolis via a vaulted corridor.
Explore the remains of a 20-columned Hellenistic stoa (portico) dating
back to 200 BC, then continue up the wide stairway past a 5th-century BC
propylaeum to the 4th-century Temple to Athena, the site's most important
ancient ruin. Enjoy the stunning view over the Aegean Sea and after
climbing back down, cool off with a swim at nearby P·llas beach or at St
Paul's harbour - named after the apostle who is said to have landed here
in 58 AD.
Monastery of AyÌou Io·nnou
TheolÛgou - Built in honour of St John the Divine on the island of
Patmos. Take time to meander around this huge monastery, with its warren
of interconnecting courtyards, chapels, stairways, arcades, galleries and
roof terraces.
Vergina - One of Greece's most
famous archaeological sites, the first capital of Macedon and the place
of Philip II's assassination in 336 BC during his daughter Cleopatra's
wedding. Walk inside the darkened interior of the tumulus (domes) to
visit four separate tombs: those of Persephone, Phillip II and Alexander
IV, the son of Alexander the Great; the fourth tomb was looted in
antiquity and no clues remain as to who is interred. The site is World
Heritage listed.
Temple of Poseidon - Dramatically
set on a cliff above Cape So·nio, the Temple of Poseidon is a familiar
landmark to sailors and one of the most evocative ruins in Greece. Admire
the 16 picturesque columns -†the sole standing survivors of the original
34. Marvel at the stunning views over the Aegean Sea, from the islands of
Kea, Kythnos and Serifos to the south-east, and Egina and the Peloponnese
to the west.

Best time to go

Greece is best visited between Easter and mid-June, and from the end of
August until mid-October when the beaches and ancient sites are
relatively uncrowded. The high season lasts from mid-June until the end
of August. Winter, from the middle of October until the beginning of
April, is generally quiet everywhere. Winter in Athens averages 10C.
Summer temperatures on the islands range from 25C to 30C, with the heat
softened by the northerly 'meltemi' wind.

Shopping

Best buys include lace, jewellery, metalwork,
pottery and leather goods. Look out for silver from Ioannina, ceramics from
Skopelos, embroidery and lace from Crete, Rhodes and Skiros. In Athens head
for the Sunday morning flea market in Monastiraki, below the Acropolis.

*Prices are in ZAR and subject to availability. Please refer to specific product’s terms and conditions.

LOWEST AIRFARE GUARANTEE

Look here to find the lowest prices on flights to domestic and international destinations. Flight Centre's Lowest Airfare Guarantee promises you the best deals on flights. We will beat same day airfare quotes for available flights departing from South Africa*